Cadillac Catera History 1999

In addition to the sedan that “zigs” the 1999 Catera lineup offered a Sport model option package that allowed the driver, as Cadillac claimed, “to zig with no fear.”

• The Catera Sport sedan featured ZJ1 suspension that was setup for more aggressive handling and response.
• The ZJ1 package included
  • stiffer front and rear springs
  • struts and shocks with increased compression and rebound performance
  • enhanced valving for the rear shocks
  • automatic leveling system
  • specific seven-spoke machined aluminum 16-inch wheels
  • Goodyear Eagle H-rated tires
• The Catera Sport sedan’s exterior color choices were Ebony, Ivory, and Platinum while the interior was Ebony leather.
• Other Sport model features included
  • next-generation dual front and side airbags
  • heated front and rear seats
  • Sport seats with extendable thigh supports
  • gunmetal interior trim
  • matte grille
  • rear spoiler
  • specific rocker moldings
• Both the Catera and Catera Sport sedans were powered by the 3.0-liter dual overhead cam V-6 mated to the 4L30-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
• This V-6 featured sodium-filled valves to help the engine run cooler as well as triple-tipped spark plugs and a high-efficiency oil cooler to help extend engine life.
• The 1999 Catera was also the first Cadillac to meet low emissions vehicle (LEV) standards, significantly reducing smog-causing exhaust emissions.
• To meet the standards, Catera featured new powertrain control computers, an electronic throttle control and wide-range heated exhaust oxygen sensors.
• Catera also received a new fuel tank and evaporative emission system to more efficiently recover vapors during refueling.